The sister combination of Riley and Avery Engels proved to be a dynamic duo for head coach Chris Hennessey and the Lee women's soccer team in 2019.
Both Riley and Avery were named to the D2 Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-South Region Second Team the organization announced on Wednesday as the No. 17 Lady Flames prepare to host the opening rounds of the NCAA National Championship.
Riley was tied for the team-lead in goals (7), assists (5) and points (19) while leading the team with 75 shots and 36 shots on goal during her senior season.
Avery helped to anchor a back line that posted 14 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals in 21 matches. Avery, a 6-foot sophomore, was also a force on set pieces with five goals and one assist as a defender.
"Riley and Avery have been consistent all year and are fully deserving of being recognized. My hopes are that they can continue their good form and lead on a run in the NCAA tournament," said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey.
The Lady Flames (16-5) earned a first-round bye and the right to host the opening two rounds after claiming the No. 2 seed in the South Region. Lee will play the winner of Embry-Riddle and Rollins on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Lee Soccer Field.
Katie Taylor of Mississippi College was honored as the D2CCA South Region Player of the Year. Taylor, a senior midfielder from Tupelo, Miss., helped the Lady Choctaws earn the Gulf South Conference regular season title, a GSC Tournament Semifinal appearance, and a trip to the NCAA DII South Region Tournament. She was named GSC Offensive Player of the Year and recorded 12 goals and 7 assists for 32 points on the season.
The D2CCA encourages and promotes DII athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as the discuss views, policies and regulations that impact DII intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to DII member colleges and universities.
D2CCA Women's Soccer South Region Player of the Year
M Katie Taylor Mississippi College, Sr. Tupelo, Miss.
D2CCA Women's Soccer South Region First Team
Pos. Name School Yr. Hometown
F Kathryn O'Brien Rollins College Sr. West Springfield, Mass.
F Anniina Sankoh Lynn University So. Helsinki, Finland
F TeMia Pride University of West Alabama Sr. Huntsville, Ala.
F Hannah Christophe Nova Southeastern University Sr. Brampton, Ontario, Canada
M Katie Taylor Mississippi College Sr. Tupelo, Miss.
M Emma Heikkila Nova Southeastern University Sr. Tornio, Finland
M Bailey Tadlock Christian Brothers University Jr. Mandeville, La.
M Riley Tennant Valdosta State University Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
D Liza Wise Mississippi College Sr. Tupelo, Miss.
D Sophie Brundin Embry Riddle Sr. Sundsvall, Sweden
D Isabella Garcia-Salas University of West Florida Sr. Guatemala City, Guatemala
D Page Napolitano Nova Southeastern Sr. Odessa, Fla.
GK Gabby Kayser Mississippi College Sr. Troy, Ill.
D2CCA Women's Soccer South Region Second Team
Pos. Name School Yr. Hometown
F Romee Contreras University of Montevallo So. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
F Anita Danielsdottir University of West Florida Fr. Keflavik, Iceland
F Riley Engels Lee University Sr. Signal Mountain, Tenn.
F Ashley Lewis Valdosta State University Sr. Lawrenceville, Ga.
F Erin Hederman Mississippi College Fr. Jackson, Miss.
M Anele Komani University of West Alabama Jr. London, England
M Annie Rolf University of West Florida Jr. West Sussex, England
M Jessica Quixley University of West Florida Jr. St. Johns, Fla.
M Aleah Headley University of West Alabama Sr. Tilbury, Essex, England
D Melanie Stevens University of Montevallo So. Clarksville, Tenn.
D Celine Rumpf University of West Florida Sr. Huenfelden, Germany
D Emma Lillbäck Barry University Fr. Stockholm, Sweden
D Avery Engels Lee University So. Signal Mountain, Tenn.
GK Esthefanny Barreras University of West Florida Sr. Phoenix, Ariz.
*A tie for the final forward spot on the second team resulted in five forwards being listed.